The Mets have two vacancies to fill in the rotation, behind Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine. They also have vacancies at closer and left field. BIGGEST NEEDS: The Mets' bullpen blew 29 saves in 2008, and a revamping of the bullpen is in order. Not only is the team without a closer, but setup men Aaron Heilman and Duaner Sanchez both had underwhelming seasons this year, which contributed to the team's inability to hold a 3 1/2-game division lead with 17 games to play.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya is used to busy Thanksgiving weeks. Four years ago, when he was courting Red Sox free agent Pedro Martinez, Minaya shared a meal with the ace on Thanksgiving day in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Three years ago, on the eve of Thanksgiving, Minaya took advantage of a Marlins' fire sale and obtained first baseman Carlos Delgado from Florida. And last offseason, on Nov.

--LHP Oliver Perez was offered arbitration by the Mets, who would receive draft compensation if he signs with another team. The Mets declined to offer arbitration to their other free agents, including RHP Pedro Martinez and OF Moises Alou. --LF Daniel Murphy suffered a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring while playing in the Arizona Fall League. Murphy has abandoned plans to continue his offseason activity playing winter ball in Puerto Rico.

Tough economic times are hurting even the Yankees, who didn't offer Bobby Abreu salary arbitration, Ken Rosenthal says.

Free-agent pitcher Oliver Perez was offered salary arbitration Monday by the New York Mets, who would receive two compensatory draft picks if the left-hander signs with another team. Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 34 starts this season. He had 180 strikeouts and 105 walks in 194 innings. The Mets did not offer arbitration to their other free agents: Pedro Martinez, Luis Ayala, Damion Easley, Moises Alou, Orlando Hernandez, Tony Armas Jr.

Baseball

Mike Hampton is on the verge of returning to the Astros.

GUERRA, Dominican Republic

As Edinson Volquez-for-Josh Hamilton proved, the offseason was made for trading. Jeff Moore looks back on some recent dandies.

Thanksgiving week was a slow one around Baseball, but the trickle of transactions contained some really good news.

Thanksgiving week was a slow one around Baseball, but the trickle of transactions contained some really good news.

THE world isn't flat, as Thomas Friedman suggested. It's upside down. Banks that are supposed to hold all our money say they have run out.

The CEOs of Detroit's three automakers did themselves and their cause no favor by traveling by separate private jets to a Nov. 19 congressional hearing on a proposed $25 billion taxpayer bailout of their companies.

Newsday glorifies drinking

The Arizona Diamondbacks are courting low-priced second basemen in an attempt to fill the void left by the impending departure of free agent Orlando Hudson, and they seem to be considering a platoon.

We've always had a problem with selling the naming rights to stadiums and arenas to corporations on the make, especially if those stadiums and arenas are paid for in full or in part by taxpayer money, as most are.

We've always had a problem with selling the naming rights to stadiums and arenas to corporations on the make, especially if those stadiums and arenas are paid for in full or in part by taxpayer money, as most are.

How many roam

Major League Soccer's deputy commissioner is leaving to become the chief executive of Arsenal, one of the top teams in the English Premier League.

SHENZHEN, China -- Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka combined for a 10-under-par 62 to give Germany a one-stroke lead over Australia's Richard Green and Brendan Jones after the first round of the World Cup of Golf on Thursday. The United States duo of Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker were tied for third with Spain and Canada at 64. Four other teams -- Sweden, Ireland, Denmark and New Zealand -- were three strokes behind the leaders at the Mission Hills Golf Club in southern China. Colin Montgomerie and Alastair Forsyth shot a 68 for defending champion Scotland. Despite gusting winds and the hilly layout, scores were low playing the best-ball format. Today's format is the tougher foursomes (alternate-shot), and scores likely will be higher.